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Expert:

Not removing a wisdom tooth may lead to dental problems such as cavities and infection. Take a look at this video on eisdom teeth removal for information.

Transcript: Thousands of years ago our ancestors used their wisdom teeth to tear through mastodon meat. Now, our...

Thousands of years ago our ancestors used their wisdom teeth to tear through mastodon meat. Now, our diets are MUCH less primitive. So we really don't NEED our wisdom teeth anymore. By the time our wisdom teeth develop -- in our late teens and early twenties -- there's usually not enough room for them to fully grow in behind the second molars. Instead, they usually stay under the gums or even encased in bone. Often, wisdom teeth need to be removed. While some people DO have space in their mouths for wisdom teeth, the fit is usually way too tight. If left alone, they can sometimes damage other teeth and cause gum problems around the wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth. Even if you DON'T feel any pain, your dentist may want to remove the wisdom teeth, especially if they're impacted in any way. This is when a wisdom tooth grows at an angle and either CAN'T break through the gums or is growing up against the tooth next to it making it impossible to clean. Your dentist can tell if this is happening with a routine exam or through a simple x-ray. If left untreated, the impacted tooth, the adjacent tooth, AND the surrounding gums are at high risk of infection, cavities, cysts and in RARE cases tumors. A wisdom tooth that's NOT impacted and has grown through the gums, but is in a position that's causing OTHER problems, is usually extracted easily in a quick outpatient surgery. The dentist will numb you with something like lidocaine and quickly extract the tooth. If the tooth is impacted, or UNDER the gums and bone, your oral surgeon will make a small incision and remove the bone over the tooth. The tooth is then taken out in small pieces to lessen the amount of bone that is removed. It may sound torturous, but you can be partially, if not completely, sedated for the process and you'll feel nothing at all. As with any surgery, there's always a risk of side effects. Although rare, wisdom tooth removal can damage nerves in the jaw, weaken the jawbone, and can cause a risk of infection at the removal site. Probably the most common side effect though, is what's called a dry socket. No one really knows for sure why it happens, but sometimes the site where the tooth was taken out doesn't heal normally at the beginning and this can cause pain. But MOST of the time, the dentist can easily correct this by simply rinsing out the area and packing it with medicine. More commonly, you might have swelling and mild discomfort as your mouth heals. But your oral surgeon can prescribe painkillers to make you more comfortable. For more on smart tooth care, check out the rest of the videos in this series.